Unifor launches People’s Trade town hall tour

SASKATOON—On Tuesday, May 8, Unifor continues its cross country town hall tour to explore a public dialogue on a progressive trade agenda with a stop in Saskatoon.

“Canada’s approach to trade has been flawed and now is the time to do things differently,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “With talks to renegotiate NAFTA going longer than expected, there is an important opening to continue the conversation about the failures of free trade deals and an opportunity to imagine a new approach to Canada’s trade agenda.”

Unifor launched a cross country dialogue with an event in Hamilton last month that was co-organized with Council of Canadians, which featured prominent author Maude Barlow, to ignite a conversation with the public about trade. The union is asking the public to imagine what a people’s trade agenda would look like in Canada and how it could inform the federal government’s approach towards trade and economic development. Instead of simply responding to each trade deal separately - by laying out its conditions and principles - Unifor hopes its town halls will document the ideas, and experiences of residents, resulting in a summary report and recommendations to federal politicians.

Unifor is inviting all residents in Saskatoon and the media to attend its People’s Trade town hall. Pre-registration is encouraged for this event, please visit unifor.org/peoplestrade

WHAT: Unifor hosts a public town hall on trade, continuing its nationwide tour

WHEN: Tuesday, May 8 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: TCU Place (Gallery C/D), 35 - 22nd Street East, Saskatoon

“Trade matters to all workers and it matters in every community,” said Dias, noting that about two-thirds of Unifor members work in trade-related industries across Canada. “Now is the time to act and build a constructive political dialogue on trade that works for the people and not just corporations.”